The roadmap to a college scholarship is usually pretty simple and everyone is familiar with how it goes.
The super elites are noticed before they step on their high school campus and get offers as freshman. Most prospects have this path: have a promising sophom*ore season, dominate as a junior and compile offers, have a great senior season and sign the letter of intent.
JSerra (San Juan Capistrano) linebacker Jaden Genova Jaden Genova 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Jserra Catholic | 2021 State CA was on that second track. He had 78 tackles, 9 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble as a sophom*ore for the Lions. He also had three receiving touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball.
JSerra sophom*ore Jaden Genova pulled in an interception and ran for a touchdown as the Lions bowled over Orange Lutheran, 56-21, on Saturday morning at Jserra. @JSerraAthletics @JSerra_Football @JGenova_5 @CapoDispatch pic.twitter.com/8mbT0hte26
— South OC Sports (@SouthOCsports) October 13, 2018
Genova was offered by Oregon and seemed like he was on track to garner many Power Five offers.
After a very strong junior season when he had 84 tackles, 9 hurries and 3 forced fumbles which earned him All-County honors from the Orange County Register, people expected him to get more major offers. Except for some strange reason, the offers didn’t come in.
It was strange considering he was arguably the best defensive player on a Trinity League team, playing against the top competition in the state. Other prospects with worse numbers on less competitive teams were gaining offers. But Genova hasn’t been discouraged by the recruiting process. 
He continues to work hard in the weight room and putting in time on the field to improve his game.
Genova would have benefitted from a normal and full 10 game season as a senior with more plays to add to his already impressive film. He had a chance to become JSerra’s all-time leader in tackles, a goal which he still has if there is a football season this spring.
He is one of the best unsigned players in the state. Prep Redzone ranked him as the No. 15 linebacker in the state and the No. 133 overall player in the state.
Genova spoke to Prep Redzone about his recruitment and possible senior season at JSerra
Interview
How would you personally evaluate your junior season?
I would say my junior season was pretty good, but I feel like it definitely could have been better.
You’ve gotten All-Trinity League honors two years in a row and All-County last season. Somehow you still feel under the radar. Does that bother you or do you like surprising people?
It honestly bothers me a bit because there are some guys with offers I feel like I am better than. But I also like surprising people and showing them what I really can do.
Pass batted down by Jaden Genova. pic.twitter.com/cjOQwJem9n
— JSerra Football (@JSerra_Football) November 16, 2019
What schools have offered you? What schools are talking to you but have yet to offer?
Army, Oregon, Idaho State, and Lake Erie have offered me. I am also talking to UC Davis and Cal Poly SLO.
Which college coaches have you built connections with?
I’ve really connected with Coach (Sean) Saturnio from Army and also I really like Coach (Isaiah) Jackson from UC Davis.
Having a coach like who has played in college ball and in the NFL has to be an asset in your recruitingand career. How much has Coach Harlow helped you?
Coach Harlow has helped me a lot throughout my career. He just has so much football knowledge, you know that you are always going to learn something when he is around.
How have you been preparing for the season during this strange COVID time?
I’ve been preparing for the season by lifting with my trainer Scot Prohaska. He’s helped me a lot throughthis whole deal. Although now, we are lifting and running as a team at JSerra.
What are your goals for the season as an individual and for JSerra as a team?
My goals this season for myself would be to show people that I really can play and to become the career tackle leader at JSerra. As a team, I hope that we can shock some people and win football games.
How competitive is the Trinity League and do you think it’s the best league in the country?
The Trinity League is extremely competitive, that’s probably the best part about it. I definitely do think that it is the best league in the country, there’s no better place for football than Southern California.
